Term of address

A term of address is used to stress someone's status as a superior,
inferior or respected peer when talking to them. Typically, terms of
address are placed at the start or end of words addressed to the
individual: for example, "sir" in "yes, sir".

"Master", "mistress", "sir",
and "ma'am" are the most common terms of address towards dominants or
owners. Towards submissives and property, "slave", "boy" and "girl" are
also sometimes used to stress their status.

Some protocols also require submissives and
property to address
dominants other than their owner as "sir" or "ma'am", although many
dominants dislike this and conflicting protocols can raise
etiquette
dilemmas.

A term of address is distinct from a title prefixing
a name, such as "master" in "Master Example"; and from a role,
such as being a master, or serving as a
slave. However, both terms of address and titles are
types of honorific.